The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,14
crashing it and me losing my boyfriend and my virginity and gaining a stalker? Care to explain that one? ‘Cuz no one else has ever bothered.” We’re at the steps leading up to the dorm entrance now, and Ash is making a big to-do about using the keycard reader— meticulously lining it up and giving it his full attention, like he'd rather do anything than face me.
“I can’t talk about that night. You wouldn’t understand or believe me.” The last bit is so quiet that I barely catch it.
“You’re right. I don’t believe a thing you have to say. Just hurry up and get this tour over with. I can’t stand being near you.” His expression turns stony as he leads me into the elevator, remaining silent as we go up to the sixth floor where my room is located.
That’s not quite true. I still hold a special hurt and bruised up place for my first puppy love in my heart, but he doesn’t have to know that. Or that I still find his dark and dramatic features hot as hell. I get a pang of guilt at even the thought of admiring another man so soon after Kael.
“Here, let me see your keycard.” Ash holds out an expectant hand, and incredulity courses through me.
“Right, because I trust you to have it, period. Unless there’s some trick to using it, I think I can handle this part.” My snottiness is a small comfort when I realize I don’t really have a free hand, and I’m either going to have to set everything on the floor, let him take some like he’d originally offered, or let him fish the card out of my bag.
Ash’s cocked brow and pursed lips say it all. I’ve painted myself into a prideful corner.
“Shit, just get in my bag, please.” The shock that crosses his face when I give in without an argument goes a long way toward perking me back up. “What, you thought I couldn’t be reasonable?” It’s my turn to raise an eyebrow, and I hope it looks more badass than it feels.
He rummages through until he finds my wallet, pulling out one of the copies of my school ID that doubles as my room key. He has a funky expression on his face, and I’m wondering what he saw in there that I probably wouldn't have wanted him to.
“You’re still going by Shultz?” I’m not sure why my last name is an issue.
“Yes, it’s not as if I decided to get a divorce. Not sure what business it is of anyone else’s though.” And it’s really not. If someone has an issue, they can shove it.
“It may make things… uncomfortable. I think, no, never mind, I’m sure it’s fine, or it would have been in the contract.” It’s as if he’s talking to himself now.
Before I can question him about the contract and his knowledge of it since I had to sign an N.D.A, he swings the door open to my room. Excuse me, rooms, plural. A quick perusal shows a main living area, kitchenette, and several more doors I take to be the bedroom, bathroom, and maybe a closet, but I have no idea what would be behind the others. It’s awful big for one student.
“What the heck am I going to do with all this room? I have maybe three boxes and my suitcase in the car.” Ash side-eyes me, giving me a pitying glance. “What am I missing? I have roommates, don’t I? Of course I do, that’s how dorms work. Please tell me they’re not awful.” Ash’s eyes widen right before a voice speaks up.
“I’m sure I can be a pain, but I don’t know about awful. And Ash here doesn’t seem to have mistreated you so far.” The deep resonant voice of my older step-brother, Jaeger, has me spinning and losing half my papers I’d kept a deathgrip on up until now.
“What the fuck! Get out of my room. You’re not welcome here.” I start backing up in terror until I come up against a hard body where the open doorway should have been.
“Cora, calm down, you’re fine.” Strong, long-fingered hands grip my shoulder, and I twist around enough to find Drake standing in the open space. “We’re your roommates.”
The hell they are! I’m going straight back down to the counselor’s office to demand a reassignment.
“Nope. Not a chance in hell.” Pulling away from Drake, he eventually releases my shoulders, and I gather up my paperwork and